Page 31 of Highland Slayer
“Then do it,” Estevan said. “And bring me a bladder ofól. I’ve a sick friend in need of it.”
The wench winked at him and headed back to the kitchen. Estevan returned his focus to Anaxandra, who was watching him closely.
“What?” he said. “What’s amiss?”
She didn’t answer him right away. She looked around, at the common room, before she was able to reply.
“This,” she said. “All of this.”
“What about it?”
“Why did you buy me that necklace?”
“Because I wanted tae.”
Her hands flew to her neck and she unfastened it, putting it on the table in front of him. “I cannot keep it.”
“Why not?”
“Because… because I cannot.”
“Ye’ll have tae give me a better reason than that.”
She frowned. “Because no one has anything like that at St. Margaret’s,” she said. “It is jewelry. That is only for the vain, and I am not vain.”
Her words may have been of refusal, but she moved her gaze to the necklace, staring at it rather longingly. Estevan watched her carefully.
“It is not for vanity,” he told her. “A cross upon yer neck is a symbol of yer devotion tae God. He would be pleased if ye wore it.”
His words had some impact, but she didn’t waver much. “You have not told me why you bought it for me.”
“I told ye. Tae show my gratitude for yer escort tae Dumfries.”
She shook her head. “I cannot accept,” she said. “Mother Michael would be very disappointed if I did. She would probably take it from me. And… and the other women would think less of me.”
“Why?”
She shrugged. “Because a man gave it to me.”
“What’s wrong with men?” Estevan said. “I know that St. Margaret’s is a nunnery, but ye’re not a nun. Ye dunna want tae be.”
“Nay, I do not.”
“Then what do ye plan tae be?”
Her features tightened, hard and stubborn as she considered his question. “That is no concern of yours.”
He gazed at her for a moment. He’d spent their entire journey trying to be kind to her. His words had been polite,his gestures generous, but still… still, she hadn’t softened. If anything, buying the necklace had made it worse. Now she was acting as if he’d done something horribly offensive, and when he tried to get to know her a little, she’d shut him down.
Well, she had.
Hewasshutting down.
“Ye’re right,” he said after a moment. “It’s not. In fact, nothing about ye is my business, so forgive me for trying tae show ye some kindness. Forgive me for trying tae gift ye with something lovely because I thought ye might like it. I should have known ye have no sense of gratitude in ye.”
She stiffened. “I did not ask you to buy me anything.”
He rolled his eyes. “That is the whole point of a gift, lass,” he said, offended by her attitude. “But I suppose ye wouldna know that. I dunna know what yer Mother Michael has been teaching ye at St. Margaret’s, but she certainly hasn’t taught ye manners. She hasn’t taught ye tae be polite or gentle. But I’m going tae wager that ye dunna even know what I’m talking of, so let’s leave it at that.”
